Fernando Alonso gave Scuderia Ferrari its first win of the 2011 season at the British Grand Prix. The victory marks 60 years since the Scuderia’s first ever Grand Prix win, at the hands of José Froilan Gonzalez on the same track in 1951.

Before the race, Fernando Alonso commemorated the anniversary with an exhibition lap of the Silverstone circuit in the 375 F1 driven by Gonzalez at the 1951 British Grand Prix. The car now belongs to Bernie Ecclestone. It was driven around Silverstone 10 years ago by Michael Schumacher when he was a Ferrari driver.

“It is a very special win,” said Alonso of his 27th career win. “I think Silverstone is a special event for every driver competing in Formula One. We know the history of motorsport here in the UK so it is special Grand Prix.

“Also today I had the privilege to drive the Jose Froilan Gonzalez’s car. It was the first Ferrari win in Formula One and this year it is 60 years ago that one Ferrari car won the first grand prix in Formula One. Today we won on the same circuit with the same passion, with the same group of people, working for this fantastic team. Every year competing in Formula One right from the beginning so this is the big thing about Ferrari. The passion, the victory and the love for competition so very happy to drive this car and achieve this success again.”

It was also the 60th anniversary of Shell’s first victory with Ferrari in F1; “And to be able to celebrate 160 wins during Shell’s technical partnership with Ferrari 60 years on is a remarkable achievement.’ said Richard Bracewell, Shell Global Sponsorships Manager.

Very beautiful words from Fernando in such an emotive moment… Being both a Fernando and Ferrari fan, when I watched on TV the press conference I couldn’t help but think that this words were somehow prepared before the race just in case Fernando or Felipe could have won it. Don’t you think so, James?

Dont think there are any questions about its validity, The Ferrari was massively quick over the second sector on which there is practically no braking, So any effect of off throttle diffuser blowing would have been little to non existent! It was the sheer brilliance of Alonso and the hard work of the men back in Maranello!

FIA really does stand for Ferrari International Assistance. They changed the rules to allow them to win this race which has historical significance for them. The fact they have changed back to pre Valencia setup makes it even more fishy

No it means that they haven’t developed off throttle diffuser blowing to its potential as much as RB and Macca have. And since silverstone has the lowest amount of braking and off throttle corners on the calendar, its importance was minor anyway. Face it Ferrari have made steady improvements for the last few races while McLaren have stayed the same or gone a bit bakcwards and it bugs the crap out of you.

The rule change was requested by McLaren (believe it) and HRT. Are they also part of the Ferrari International Assistance?. Vettel said it all, Alonso deserved his win. Lets give credit where it is due.
Very sportingly, Ferrari agreed to revert back to the previous rules- Fact.